Meetings, President's Message

WIWSA President’s Message March 2019

Those of us who were born before the so-called “Digital Revolution” still expect to find important data and information about nearly everything printed on paper. Wellllll, that revolution really happened and now we are all working hard to become “computer literate.”


When we needed information or data about our water systems, for example, it once required an actual “voyage of discovery” down to Island County Administration, a “get acquainted” chat over the desk, and the patience to delve through records in every stage of decay. Not so anymore! We are indeed fortunate to have access to digital “Navigators” who can guide us to the data and information that we need without us even leaving our kitchen tables. Two of those intrepid Navigators, John Lovie and Doug Kelly, will spread out the pertinent digital maps for us at our next Quarterly Members Meeting, 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Thursday, March 14th at the Coupeville Library. Please attend and bring your trickiest questions about digital access “courses and speeds.”


As a bonus, we will also host the recently appointed Deputy Director of the Washington State Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water. Derek Pell served the public as the Deputy Director of the NW Region of the ODW for years and is no stranger to Whidbey Island and our association. We want to hear about his first impressions of “Life at the Top” at the seat of our State Government – so bring even trickier questions for his challenge!


Warm regards, Jim Patton


P. S. As a matter of interest, please see the record below of the themes that we have explored at all of our Quarterly Members’ Meetings over the last five years – and don’t hesitate to let us know if you think that some are important enough to revisit.

  • 2014
    • Q1 Insurance for Small Water Systems
    • Q2 What’s New at Island County Health and ODW
    • Q3 Recruiting and Training Certified Water System Operators
    • Q4 Consolidating Small Water Systems into Districts
  • 2015
    • Q1 Potential for Disruption of Water Supplies
    • Q2 Plans for Response to Acts of Nature
    • Q3 Funding sources for Improvements and Repairs
    • Q4 World Café – Concerns and Suggestions
  • 2016
    • Q1 Responsibilities of Water Boards
    • Q2 Who Owns Our Drinking Water?
    • Q3 Water Treatment
    • Q4 How to Develop your SWSMP
  • 2017
    • Q1 Detection and Treatment of PFAS
    • Q2 Purpose of and Preparation for Sanitary Surveys
    • Q3 Preparations for Natural Disasters
    • Q4 Responsibilities of Water Purveyors
  • 2018
    • Q1 Responsibilities and Liabilities of SMAs
    • Q2 Introduction to AWWA and WARN
    • Q3 Setting Water Rates
    • Q4 CERT Training and Emergency Preparedness